Nutraceuticals in Health & Nutrition

Program Overview

This four-year program in Nutraceutical Science provides students with a comprehensive understanding of nutraceutical technologies and their applications in health and wellness. It covers a range of scientific disciplines, including food processing, biochemistry, and pharmacology, and offers opportunities for work placement and independent research projects. Graduates are qualified for careers in various industries related to nutraceuticals, including research, development, and manufacturing.

Program Outline

Outline:

Year One

• Communications and Nutraceutical Industry Studies
• Computer Applications and Digital skills
• Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry
• Introductory Microbiology
• Mathematics for Food Scientists
• Principles of Cellular Biology

Year Two

• Mathematics for Food Scientists
• Principles of Systems Biology
• Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry
• Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
• Principles of food processing and preservation
• Introductory Nutrition

Year Three

• Natural Organic Chemistry
• Food & Beverages Engineering
• Structural Biochemistry for Food and Pharmaceuticals
• Food Microbiology
• Statistics

Year Four Semester 1

• Food Chemistry 1
• Molecular Biotechnology
• Shelf-Life Management and Packaging
• Fundamental Sensory Evaluation
• Nutraceutical Food Safety and Occupational Health & Safety
• Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Year Four Semester 2

• Medicinal chemistry for nutraceuticals
• Performance Nutrition
• Food Chemical Analysis
• Nutraceutical Product Development
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Nutraceutial Microbiology 1

Careers:

• New Product Development
• Food Technologist
• Product Technician
• Packaging Manager
• Ingredients Development (enzymes)
• Product Development Scientist
• Process Technologist
• Packaging Manager
• Quality Assurance/Control Manager/Co-ordinator
• Research and Development
• Production Manager/Planner
• Academia/Lecturer
• Research Assistant
• Lab Technician
• Brand Technologist/Specialist
• Operations Manager
• Procurement Manager
• Regulatory Affairs Officer
• Patent Agent
• Technical Author
• Writer/Journalist
• Technical Recruiter
• Account/Client Manager
• Marketing Executive
• Sales Manager Representative
• Entrepreneur
• Business Development Executive

Other:

• The course covers a range of scientific disciplines and new nutraceutical technologies.
• It aims to produce contemporary food scientists capable of exploiting this growing opportunity in health and wellness.
• An additional feature is that it covers the emerging area of sports nutrition and nutrigenomics.
• You’ll undertake a three-month work placement, and a full semester in Year 4 is dedicated to an independent research project that will allow you to develop your research skills and in-depth knowledge in an area of your choice.
• On graduation, you’ll be qualified to enter postgraduate research courses, both in Ireland and abroad, in nutraceutical research and related areas at masters or PhD level.
• Demand for researchers in this area is currently high and is predicted to further increase in future years.